The best restaurants in South West Scotland

The Coylton Arms is turning into a real favourite of ours. We’ve eaten here quite a few times this year, which included twice in December. It offers an extensive menu to choose from, plus the staff that serve you are always really pleasant and not afraid to offer their opinion on the food you fancy. Prices are very reasonable considering the quality of the food and the restaurant is really nice inside. There is also an adjoining bar if you fancy a wee pre-meal drink. A family run business, well worth a visit 👍

Friendly staff and good selection on menú with lunch options. Dog friendly, and generally everyone's pooches behave well

Restaurant was busy and had good friendly busy atmosphere with a lovely aroma and warm. Starter and main course food were very good and generous servings. Sweet menu looked liked it may be bought in, so didn't have anything. Sadly service was a bit hit or miss; mistake in main course that was quickly rectified, forgotten drinks order had to be reordered, and a bit slow, but as i said it was very busy, maybe even full. Helpful staff, and customers were happy and relaxed. Spacious, clean and comfortable. An enjoyable experience, will go back and would recommend. Thank you for a lovely meal and pleasant evening.

We haven't been here for almost 2 years as the last time the food was disgusting, we were previously regular customers, as the food had always been amazing, so we were glad to see things are almost back to normal but still not at the previous standard. We probably will return as we did enjoy our recent meal.

My wife and some friends went to dinner here and had a lovely relaxing time. It’s bring your own wine. It was very quiet in the restaurant on a Friday night (Peak summer season) so had little atmosphere but the place was chill and the staff were nice and friendly. Maybe some louder background music to fill the room a bit more would’ve been nicer. I think it’s quiet because of the restaurant location, but the window views looking onto the water are stunning. Decor is cute because it’s all lighthouse themed. The meal itself was delicious and had lots of options available on the chalk board menu. Our group all had empty plates and the desserts afterwards were to die for. Seriously unreal, the banoffee pie had tonnes of caramel on it and the creme brûlée was perfect!! Will definitely return.

The staff were very friendly, the pancakes were delicious. Dog and kid friendly

fab service and food delivery driver was lovely also

I drive down from Glasgow fairly frequently and I’m grateful I don’t stay any closer as my waistline would be expanding even more rapidly. I love bringing new people with me to introduce them. Not that I need an excuse to visit. Saw the milk vending machines online just after the first lockdown for Covid and have been coming ever since. I always get macaroni cheese - it’s the best. And a big pint glass of milk. Can’t visit a coo farm without getting milk IMO. Brought a friends child with me once - he thought when I said fresh from the cow - they milked one straight into the glass 😂😂😂. When he was informed otherwise he got some and said it was the best milk he’d ever tasted. Never had a complaint about the food or the service and my dining companions have tried various things from the menu with no complaints either. Always have to take cakes to go (along with my milk) as there’s never enough space after lunch has been stuffed in.

Decent pint. Innis and Gunn £5.20. Friendly locals. Traditional style pub.

Breakfast average but far to expensive at 12 pounds when you can get the same for half the price round the corner at weatherspoons !!

The 1906 restaurant is of course situated within the 5 star Turnberry Hotel, and these surroundings undoubtedly enhance the whole dining experience. The hotel itself luxurious and is situated in an outstanding elevated position with stunning views. On arrival you may choose to enjoy an aperitif in the comfortable bar area before heading into the restaurant. We were there on a Friday night and while enjoying a well presented and delicious gin and tonic in the bar, we were unexpectedly treated to an entertaining talk on the ‘haggis’, followed by a rendition of Burns’ ‘Address to the Haggis’, by an impressively dressed piper who also entertained us on the bagpipes. Guests were offered an ‘amuse bouche’ of haggis, neeps and tatties, presented in a small shot glass. Afterwards we entered 1906, the hotel’s formal dining room. This is a beautiful and spacious room with huge windows which frame the outstanding views. The tables were impeccably dressed, as one would expect. The staff were knowledgeable, thoroughly professional, and warm and friendly; without being inappropriate or intrusive. They have perfected just the right balance. My right arm was in plaster, after recently breaking my wrist in a fall. I was struggling to cut my perfectly delicious venison. Our waitress noticed this immediately and discreetly offered to assist me. My husband had noticed at the same time and took the task in hand, but I very much appreciated the waitress’ kindness and attentiveness. The food and wine were excellent and beautifully presented. Our whole experience at Turnberry compared well with the best of restaurants and hotels internationally, though of course it retains its distinctly Scottish ambiance. We had a thoroughly enjoyable evening and would certainly recommend.

I'm a regular at the smokery next door and have been wanting to try the restaurant for some time. A limited menu, but the food was absolutely fine, only suggestion there would be that if you're serving an entire fish it's always helpful to have a second plate to deposit the bones. Service was the real let-down though. Door was opened by a young man who knew the right words to welcome people but did so in a very detached sort of way - efficient enough but small talk, or even normal pleasantries, definitely not encouraged. His female colleague was a bit more personable, but easily distracted by a succession of males who seemed to be working outside and kept coming and going through an external kitchen door to have a bit of a flirt with her. Almost certainly not in line with kitchen hygiene to be entering in dirty work clothes, and I don't really want to pay to have a meal while listening to them chatting each other up.

Last time we were on Arran, the café was sadly closed, and so we were very excited to try it this time. Very friendly staff and a lovely selection of cakes and traybakes to choose from. Lovely views from inside the café and from the outside seating. Would recommend if passing and we will return soon.

Had lunch and cakes here, one of the best places for to go for food during the day on the island. It’s well liked and well known by a lot of visitors. People have been going for 20 years+. Got some history about it and the place has never changed. Highly recommend the specialty meringue cake dish. It’s huge but worth it. Really disappointed about the annoying opening hours. We drove to visit one day on a Saturday and it was closed. Turns out it was SHUT FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY, MONDAY EVERY WEEK DURING THE SUMMER PEAK PERIOD!! And we’ve found it it’ll be closed over winter too. We hear it’s to do with staffing issues which is a current issue but it was really disappointing to be closed on such busy peak days. Doesn’t make sense and we drove all that way

Very beautiful and cozy place, service at the highest level. And the food is a separate conversation, we ordered a ribeye steak, ate and enjoyed every bite.